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August 17, 2012

Instagram Releases Major Update Including Interactive Photo Map

by editor

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports - Your Universe Online

Instagram launched a new version of its photo-sharing application for Apple iOS and Android devices on Thursday, adding a “photo map” that lets users plot their Instagram pictures on an interactive world map.

After installing the update, users who click on their own or someone else's profile will see a chronological view of their photos, along with a new photo map section that includes a geographic album highlighting where each image was taken.

The update, Instagram 3.0, also includes a new profile look, and eliminates some performance bugs while allowing users to mark comments as spam.

“We´ve introduced a new and unique way to browse your photos and others´ photos on a map, which means you´re no longer constrained to browsing through page after page of photos,” Instagram wrote in a blog posting announcing the latest update.

Instagram, whose acquisition by Facebook is still pending FTC approval, said it selects a theme with every one of its major releases. This time, it has focused on improving users´ overall photo-browsing experience.

The first time a user goes to their photo map, they will be asked to choose the images they want to add from any photos previously uploaded with geolocation turned on. Once the images are selected, they will be placed on the interactive map and will be visible to others.

The next time photos are uploaded to Instagram, users can select the option to "add to your photo map" and the pictures will be included on the map.

Photos can be removed from the map at any time, which will also remove any associated geo-data while leaving the photos on the profile.

For those with privacy concerns about the new features, there are three ways to deselect photos from being shared on your map: choosing the “deselect all” option at the top of the screen, deselecting individual photos one at a time, or deselecting entire sections by tapping a check mark in the upper-right above a particular section of photos.

However, once a user decides not to share a photo on their map, they no longer have the option to add it back later.

In addition to photo maps, Instagram 3.0 also includes improvements to speed up the app and make it more responsive, particularly on newer devices. The update also adds new security features that allow users to report individual comments as abuse or spam.

Profile screens have also been enhanced to display a larger grid of photos, making it easier to view and browse images. The photo upload screen will also look slightly different, with a larger text box to simplify writing and editing captions.

The update was released to Google Play and the App Store, and can be downloaded here for Android and here for Apple iOS.

Additional information about the features added in version 3.0 can be viewed at: